The Five Eyes intelligence alliance — made up of the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — is one of the closest intelligence-sharing partnerships in the world. But according to reporting by CBS News, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a directive in July halting the flow of information to allies about ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
The memo, dated July 20 and signed by Gabbard, ordered all U.S. intelligence agencies to classify analysis and information related to the negotiations as “NOFORN,” meaning no foreign dissemination. In addition to that designation, Gabbard prohibited intelligence sharing not only with foreign allies but, in some cases, even between American agencies themselves. CBS News reports the order instructed agencies to restrict material to the office that produced it, limiting broader access across the U.S. intelligence community.
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Fallout among allies
The move from Gabbard sparked criticism both in Washington and abroad. Some analysts warned that withholding such sensitive information could damage trust within the Five Eyes network, which was founded in the aftermath of World War II to coordinate intelligence gathering against the Soviet Union. Steven Cash, a former CIA and DHS officer, told CBS News that one of the alliance’s key strengths is developing “a common intelligence picture” to inform collective decision-making.
National security experts worry that the directive could push allies to reconsider their cooperation with the United States, and could choose to create new structures and channels without American input.
Not without precedent
Still, others argue the decision is neither unusual nor alarming. Ezra Cohen, a Hudson Institute fellow and former Pentagon official, said the U.S. and its allies often mark intelligence “eyes-only” when interests diverge. “Our interests are not always aligned with our Five Eyes partners,” Cohen noted, adding that similar restrictions exist on U.K. and Australian intelligence.
While the directive is not unprecedented, critics say the timing raises concern. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, analysts fear limiting intelligence sharing could undercut the alliance at a critical moment. The White House has not commented publicly on the memo, and the broader diplomatic impact remains unclear.
